Raising Your Hand

You Raised Your Hand...Now What?

If you're like most of the people who call us, you raised your hand this season and volunteered to buy the soccer uniforms for the team. Based on our experience, you:
  • are a volunteer parent or coach - the person who raises his or her hand for everything
  • have little or no experience in making a bulk purchase or what to look for in doing so
  • probably can't figure out what to wear to work each day
  • will spend a significant amount of money on this purchase
  • are nervous about making the right choice
Well, take five and three quarter minutes to read this and prepare yourself to make the process simply and easy. "Buying Soccer Uniforms doesn't have to be that hard!"

Determine Your Needs

Getting Ready for the Season If you want to waste your time, start looking around before you determine your needs. Sure, it's cool to see what's around, but until you know what you need, it is a complete waste of time. Here is a starter list:
  • When do you need them (i.e. when does the season start)?
  • Do you need jerseys only, full uniforms or home/away packages?
  • How many players will you be outfitting?
  • Will you need youth and adult sizes (not all companies produce youth & adult)?
  • What are the team colors?
  • How many seasons do you want to wear the uniforms?
  • What is your target budget?
  • Will you be securing sponsors to help pay for your gear?
  • What type of field equipment do you need? At the least, most teams need extra balls
  • What about the safety of the player? First Aid kits and ice packs needed every season
Additionally, we've compiled the "Starting 11 Questions all Buyers Ask Us." It covers topics specific to Totally Soccer.

Select Your Vendor

Select a vendor who will guide you through the process and not simply take your order. This is where Totally Soccer excels. Allow the vendor to guide you into the products that make sense based around your needs (remember: this person is an expert). This will save you valuable time and stress over the long-run. You have many choices out there and you're a busy person, so finding a relaible vendor is your first, most important choice. You'll find many, many choices around $40-$45 for your customized soccer uniforms. A great vendor is worth any price difference.

Choose Your Style & Sizes

Once you've determined your vendor, you can begin reviewing styles. Based around your needs for colors and sizes, the style choices will begin to narrow. Most companies offer only select styles in both youth and adult, so if you're outfitting U9-U14 this severely limits your choices. If you want to wear the uniforms for more than one season, ask your vendor about uniform "life span." This tells you how long the uniforms is going to be available for purchase. If you're concerned about fabric, you might find our fabric guide helpful. If you have time, request sizing samples. If you don't have time, ask for a sizing chart. Here is our sizing guide.

Customize your Soccer Uniforms

This is definitely a cool part of the job, but be careful. Customization can quickly add 30-50% or more to your order. Careful customization will ensure great-looking uniforms without driving the costs. Know what you're paying on the initial order and what you'll pay in the future if you need just one more. Here's a helpful guide about custom soccer uniforms. Again, your vendor should assist you in customizing your uniforms, but here are a few tips:
  • Stick with 1-color logos - they look great and are cost-effective over the life of the jerseys
  • Number sequentially or else you'll run around town trying to get everyone's favorite number
  • If a budget allows, full front logos or player names are excellent, cost-effective options

Place Your Order

When placing your order (here's how you order from us), demand a written copy of the final order. This should detail the style, sizes, customization and delivery date (mark your calendar) as well as your other needs. Make sure your vendor has your phone and email to contact you in case of any issues. By demanding a written order, you ensure there are no missed details lost in translation and will be able to resolve any dispute. Don't be an idiot - make sure you review the order!

Take Delivery

It's the day of excitement to crack open that box and unfurl your creation. Go grab your order confirmation and check to make sure the entire order is to your specifications (check player names). Do this before you hand out the uniforms. If you have any disputes, call you vendor and keep a cool head. Mistakes happen and no one is going to live or die over soccer uniforms...it just feels that way in the moment. A great vendor will work with you to quickly resolve any issue or brainstorm solutions with you.

Ongoing Relationship

While some buyers view this simply as a transaction, almost all buyers need something down the road. We would encourage you to develop a nice, productive working relationship with your vendor. It will payoff in spades later on.

Additional Guides

After seventeen years in the soccer business, we have tons of experience in successfully helping buyers save time, money and tons of stress. We aim to educate and inform, so you can make the best choices. Here are some additional guides you may find helpful:

Efficient Buying Tips

Golden Ideas
  • Organize your team early. This will allow you to place your order early and avoid tons of last-minute stress over on-time delivery.
  • Focus on quality, time lines and meeting your budget.
  • Keep price in perspective. A great vendor is worth the price difference. This oftentimes amounts to the price of a cup of Starbuck's coffee. As my grandfather used to say, “Be prudent and look for values, but don’t focus on the pennies when you're spending dollars.”
  • No one will care that you picked the "coolest" uniforms if players don't have them for Opening Day. It is the moment of truth: brand can't replace it, style can't replace it and fancy printing can't replace it. You need your soccer uniforms by kickoff! Can your vendor deliver on time and on budget?